Have your say, Vaughan!

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Public input is being sought on a variety of city-building initiatives

Vaughan is a city on the move – and despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, city-building has not slowed down. Although some of the City of Vaughan’s physical doors remain closed, key projects and initiatives continue to advance. Public consultation remains an important and necessary part of the process and Vaughan is committed to providing virtual opportunities for citizens and stakeholders to be engaged, learn about active projects, provide feedback and get involved.
 
You are encouraged to join these current conversations – virtually – from the safety and comfort of home. By participating, you can help inform municipal decisions and shape the future of Vaughan.
 
Age-Friendly Community Action Plan
 
The City is taking steps to create a more age-friendly community where all residents can be active and engaged members of society at every stage of life, including retirement. Through the development of an Age-Friendly Community Action Plan, local data and key age-friendly indicators are being studied, in addition to collecting the community’s feedback.
 
The next virtual community workshop on this initiative is on Monday, Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At that time, there will be a presentation of the Age-Friendly Community Action Plan preliminary vision, draft objectives and initial ideas. The workshop will also include an interactive discussion on the ideas for making Vaughan more age-friendly with opportunities to share feedback. Citizens can register for this workshop online.
 
For more information, visit vaughan.ca/AgeFriendly.
 
Vaughan’s Official Plan Review: Get Inspired; Get Involved!
 
What is your vision for Vaughan? The feedback you provide throughout the review process will help the City identify needs, outline priorities and draft the updated Vaughan Official Plan. This strategic planning document establishes a policy framework to guide the city's physical, social, environmental, and economic development. There are many ways to get involved in the review process, including a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.
 
In addition to the public meeting, multiple public engagement opportunities will be available throughout the review, including online surveys, workshops and establishing a Community Working Group – a citizen advisory group to help guide conversations and inform the review process and updated Vaughan Official Plan. The Community Working Group will not be a decision-making body.
 
 Your participation in the Official Plan Review will help answer questions like:
 
  • What should communities look and feel like in the future?
  • What kind of business development and job opportunities should the City plan for?
  • How will people move around Vaughan?
  • How can the City continue to act as environmental stewards, create a sustainable environment and increase resilience to climate change?
  • How can the city continue to be a vibrant place for people to live, work and play?
  • How can the City design accessible communities which include everyone?
  • How can the City design a community which will continue to meet the needs of all residents and allow people to age-in-place?
 
As the Official Plan Review progresses, questions and opportunities for public input will continue to be shared, including the upcoming recruitment for the Community Working Group. Details will be posted to vaughan.ca/OPR once confirmed.
 
2022 Budget Process
 
The City’s annual budget process is open and transparent, with public consultation being a vital component. A key priority is to educate the public about the process – to ensure they are informed and have multiple opportunities to comment on the budget and how the City invests their tax dollars. This includes educating citizens on how property taxes and water and wastewater rates are allocated. The annual Budget Book (PDF) provides an overview of the budget and this process.
 
Planning is underway for the 2022 budget process. Public meetings will be held to discuss the budget on the below dates and times:
  • Special Committee of the Whole (Public Meeting) on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
  • Special Committee of the Whole (Public Meeting) on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
  • Special Council Meeting to approve the budget on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.  
For more information on how you can get involved, visit vaughan.ca/budget.
 
For additional public engagement opportunities, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay and subscribe to the City’s engagement mailing list to receive updates directly to your inbox. Watch this video to learn more about the City’s community engagement strategy. Continue to check this webpage as new public engagement opportunities are frequently posted.